I was so very happy to hear that this year’s Bb. Pilipinas Fashion Show at the Araneta Coliseum (March 6, 2014) was going to incorporate the National Costume competition. What a great idea from Team Binibini! I was eager to see the girls parade in Filipiniana of all kinds and dying to see the designs. This is not just about the girls, but about the beauty and significance of their costumes.
My major irritation though is that they failed to mention the designers of these beautiful creations! What would it have cost to include their names somehow during the program? Even to flash the designer’s names on screen would have been enough. What an oversight, in my humble opinion!
Nevertheless, I loved almost all the gowns and costumes and appreciated each one. In this series of blog posts, I’ll go through each costume and share my thoughts… those highlighted in RED are the gowns and girls that impressed me!
36. Krystal Alonday
When Krystal Alonday, a paper napkin collector, stepped out onto the stage, she executed a clockwork turn reminding me of the pretty little doll figurines you find in musical boxes. She also made me think of those sweet little ceramic brides you find on top of wedding cakes. With Krystals hair simply styled and down to one side, she also looked like she was celebrating her debut again!
*****
37. Vanessa Saliba
I still am not sure if I liked this spiky gown that was made of walis tambo and tingting. At least I think it was made of those two native products. Anyway, one thing is for sure is that it was one of the more eye-catching gowns of the evening. The down-side was that Vanessa Saliba looked stiff in it – but not her fault. You can’t swagger like Jagger when you’re wrapped in tinder.
*****
38. Janine Asanion
An earthy Singkil costume featuring the boteh design of Persia which we know as paisley. Best feature of this costume is the color combination of pink and gold which made Janine Asanion, a registered nurse, stand out even when the rest of the girls came in to form their final tableau.
*****
39. Ladylyn Riva
How could this ensemble be considered a National Costume? That was my question when Ladylyn Riva made her entrance in this sexy gold catsuit with Neptune-like shoulder wings. Maybe its a variation on the Terno? Or perhaps she is representing Lidagat, the Visayan goddess of the sea! Or Luyong Baybay, the goddess of the tides! Whatever she was representing, Ladylyn was ravishing and even had a dramatic moment when she disconnected the golden train from her outfit. A stand-out design!
*****
40. Vessica Sambo
Last but not the least came I.T. student Vessica Sambo in a tattered Terno. She was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed as she negotiated the stage, confirming to the audience that she is indeed one of the prettiest newbies in Bb. Batch 2014! This gown would be perfect for a shoot on the beach… I can almost see a bare-foot Vessica looking hot and thirsty draped on a rock next to the brilliant sea while wearing this red hot number…
*****
